Question

How can I get my 20 month old to sit in his car seat?

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For the last week my 20 month old doesn´t want to sit on his car seat. Once I get him to sit he´s fine. when i´m about to put him in his chair he starts to scream his head off, so I leave him in the sidewalk until he is ready. He wants to sit anywhere in the car but his seat, and of course, that´s not possible. a toy steering wheel worked for two days. last time, 20 minutes under the pouring rain until he was ready to sit. can´t force him, he is as tall and strong as a 3 year old. i´m desperate!

Mom Answers

We went through the same with our 22 month old a few weeks ago. It didn't last too long though. Normally we give our daughter time-outs when she misbehaves, but, how do we give her one when we're out? What she really wants is to sit in the front and pretend to drive, so if we "lock" her in the car, then she wins. Anyway, if it's just one person stuck with her, then we take out of the car, close all the doors and tell her nobody is going anywhere (it takes time, but it helps keeping you cool and you don't risk hurting them while in the process of force). If we are together, one of us gets in the front seat and start the car, the other stays outside with her (doors closed), and waves bye-bye like we are leaving without her. This works like a charm.
Now, we just park in lower traffic areas of parking lots, in case she has to stay outside throwing tantrums or whatever.
Fortunately it didn't last too long, she hasn't pulled that stunt again in about a month.
Good luck!!!

thank you very much, we´ve forced him for two days and he´s over it, but yes, we did the time out in the middle of the street and all, unfortunately it works with other things, but he thinks being in the street is more fun than the car!! thanks again

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